Since Israel’s airstrike in Rafah on the night of 26th May 2024, the evidence of an egregious civilian toll has mounted. At least 45 people are now believed to have been killed – and while Israel claimed that the attack was aimed at a “Hamas compound”, witnesses, aid organizations and video evidence all suggest that a refugee encampment bore the brunt of the attack.
On Monday morning, the Israeli Defense Force (IDF) said that the attack was against “legitimate targets”. Now, in the face of a chorus of international condemnation and with an emergency session of the UN Security Council scheduled for Tuesday, Benjamin Netanyahu has accepted that “something unfortunately went tragically wrong” despite what he claimed were “our best efforts not to hurt them”. But he also insisted that there would be no change in policy. “I will keep fighting until the flag of victory is raised,” he said. “I don’t intend to end the war before every goal has been achieved.”
The question now is whether the expressions of dismay from even Israel’s closest allies, including the US, will translate into meaningful pressure on Netanyahu to change course.
Even though, not much is expected from the US, the ongoing Israeli military operations in Gaza, have cast a harsh light on the international response, particularly that of the Arab governments. Their reaction, or lack thereof, reveals a stark and disturbing hypocrisy when contrasted with their military engagements in other regional conflicts.
A Record of Intervention
The historical record of Arab military intervention in the region is extensive. During the Gulf War, known as Desert Storm, Arab nations rallied under American leadership to ‘liberate’ Kuwait from Iraqi occupation. Egypt participated with 20,000 soldiers, Syria with 14,000, Morocco with 13,000, Kuwait with 9,000, Oman with 6,300, the UAE with 4,300, and Qatar with 2,600 soldiers. This coalition demonstrated a robust and coordinated military effort driven by international and regional political imperatives.
Similarly, during NATO’s intervention in Libya, dubbed Odyssey Dawn, Qatar and the UAE committed significant military resources, including warplanes and elite forces, to the campaign. They not only fought on the ground but also financed the operation, with the Gulf States reportedly covering the cost of every missile and bomb dropped on Libya -a price tag of a million dollars per strike. This resulted in the destruction of Libya, widespread displacement of its people, and plundering of its wealth.
In *Decisive Storm* against Yemen, under American-British direction, Saudi Arabia led with 100 fighter planes and 150,000 soldiers, supported by the UAE with 30 planes, Kuwait with 15, Bahrain with 15, Qatar with 10, Jordan with 6, Morocco with 6, and Sudan with 5 planes, backed by thousands of troops. Egypt also played a role, participating in the operations and showcasing its military readiness.
Moreover, in the conflict against Syria, Arab states, again under American influence, formed operations rooms in Jordan and Turkey to facilitate the entry, arming, and financing of 60,000 fighters, supported by Saudi Arabia, Qatar, the UAE, Jordan, and Bahrain. This intervention further destabilized Syria, contributing to a prolonged and devastating civil war.
A Deafening Silence on Gaza
In stark contrast to these interventions, the Arab governments’ response to the Israeli attacks on Gaza has been notably passive. The same countries that were willing to mobilize vast military resources to engage in conflicts in Iraq, Libya, Yemen, and Syria, now stand by and watch as the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) massacre and inflict massive casualties and destruction on the Palestinian population.
When Gaza is under siege, and civilians are massacred, these governments, bound by geopolitical alliances and dependencies, particularly on the United States, find themselves paralyzed. They are unable even to open a crossing to provide essential food and medicine, awaiting a ‘green light’ from their Western allies. This inaction exposes a shameful double standard and a betrayal of the Palestinian cause.
The Media’s Complicity
The role of the media in this dynamic hypocrisy cannot be ignored. A media apparatus that is often fully funded and controlled by these very governments perpetuates a narrative that justifies these wars. They frame interventions in Iraq as ‘liberation’, in Libya as ‘protection of civilians’, in Yemen as ‘restoring legitimacy’, and in Syria as ‘democracy’. Yet, when it comes to Palestine, the silence is deafening, and the coverage is minimal, allowing the atrocities to continue unchecked.
A Call for Genuine Solidarity
The hypocrisy of Arab governments stands in sharp relief when their willingness to destroy other Arab nations is juxtaposed with their inaction on Palestine. The world is watching, and the question remains: who will stand for the Palestinians?
It is incumbent upon the global community, especially the citizens of these Arab nations, to hold their governments accountable. True solidarity with Palestine requires more than words; it demands action. This means breaking the silence, providing humanitarian aid, and exerting political pressure to bring an end to the occupation and the ongoing violence.
The time has come for a genuine, unwavering commitment to justice for the Palestinian people. The world must wake up and act, ensuring that the sacrifices and suffering of the Palestinians are not in vain.
For the love of humanity and justice, let us spread awareness and demand accountability. The world must stand up for the Palestinians now, before more innocent lives are lost.